Miswire protection switch compression spring

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a ground fault circuit interrupt (GFCI) device. The GFCI device includes a GFCI device housing. A GFCI circuit is enclosed within GFCI device housing. The GFCI circuit is configured to detect a ground fault condition. A second detection circuit is coupled to the GFCI circuit and disposed within the GFCI device housing. The second detection circuit includes a switch element configured to be in an open position during at least one post-manufacture test procedure and configured to be in a closed position during usage. A protection switch is disposed on the exterior of the GFCI device housing and operatively coupled to the switch element. The protection switch is configured to allow a user to throw the switch element into the closed position without accessing the interior of the GFCI device housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 120 based on U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/363,685 filed on Feb. 28, 2006, and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/366,088 filed on Feb. 12, 2003, thecontents of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/366,088 claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) based on U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 60/356,522 filed on Feb. 13, 2002, the content of which isrelied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to electrical devices, andparticularly to ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) devices.

2. Technical Background

By way of background, power is provided to electrical appliances througha pair of electrical conductors connected to a power source provided bythe local power utility. One conductor is a “hot” wire and the otherconductor is a neutral conductor. The hot conductor is also commonlyreferred to as the line. The line and the neutral provide the load (e.g.the appliance) with 120 volts of alternating current (VAC) or 240 VAC.Ground faults occur when there is an imbalance between the currentflowing in the line and the neutral, or if the neutral becomes groundedat the load.

A GFCI is a safety device that, if used properly, may help preventelectrocution because of ground faults. Ground fault conditions pose asignificant threat to safety and may result in serious injury or death.The GFCI is configured to automatically detect the fault condition andopen the circuit to eliminate the fault condition. GFC1s can typicallydetect the presence of a ground fault as small as a few milliamps andopen the circuit within a fraction of a second to eliminate thedangerous fault condition.

In a conventional GFCI, current differentials between the line andneutral are sensed by a current differential sensing transformer.Grounded neutral conditions are sensed by a second ground neutraltransformer. Both of the transformers are coupled to a fault detectioncircuit. Upon detecting a ground fault condition, the fault detectioncircuit directs a solenoid to actuate a circuit breaker. The circuitbreaker, in turn, opens the circuit to eliminate the dangerouscondition. Unfortunately, the above described conventional GFCI haslimited functionality that is unable to cope with certain problems.

One such problem includes the possibility of an installer mis-wiring theline/load in the field. A variety of methods are used to prevent orattempt to prevent mis-wiring with varying levels of success. Labels andinstallation instruction sheets have been used to prevent mis-wiring. Ofcourse, instructions can always be ignored by the installer. Anotherpotential problem includes the possibility of solenoid failure.Obviously, if the solenoid fails, or if the circuit driving the solenoidfails, the GFCI will be inoperable, and hazardous ground faultconditions will go undetected. Preventing the problems associated with adefective solenoid driving device is inherently more problematic.

GFC1s have been provided with mis-wiring protection circuits, andbuilt-in means for detecting defective internal GFCI components, such asa defective solenoid. However, these circuits have proved to beproblematic during some test procedures. First, mis-wiring protectioncircuits often produce differential currents that skew test results.Also, some test procedures may cause the mis-wiring protection circuitto bum out, making the device unsuitable for sale. What furtherexacerbates the problem is that certain standards, such as UnderwritersLaboratories Standard 943 (UL 943), do not allow the manufacturer toopen the GFCI device after the device has been tested. Thus, if acircuit does fail during testing, the device must be scrapped.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a GFCI device that is amenable torigorous testing, such as the test procedures provided by UL 943.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the aforementioned needs. The GFCI ofthe present invention includes a mis-wiring protection circuit, and acircuit for detecting defective internal GFCI components. The presentinvention is amenable to testing, in particular, for test procedurescomplying with Underwriters Laboratories Standard 943 (UL 943).

One aspect of the present invention is directed to a ground faultcircuit interrupt (GFCI) device that includes a GFCI device housing anda plurality of line terminals and a plurality of load terminals at leastpartially disposed in the GFCI device housing. A GFCI circuit isenclosed within GFCI device housing and coupled to the plurality of lineterminals and the plurality of load terminals. The GFCI circuit isconfigured to detect at least one ground fault condition. A seconddetection circuit is coupled to the GFCI circuit and disposed within theGFCI device housing. The second detection circuit includes a switchelement configured to be in an open position during at least onepost-manufacture test procedure. A user-accessible housing feature isdisposed on the GFCI device housing, the user-accessible housing featurebeing in operative communication with the switch element, an externallygenerated stimulus being applied to the switch element to throw theswitch element into a closed position by way of the user-accessiblehousing feature.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method formaking a ground fault circuit interrupt (GFCI) device. The methodincludes the steps of providing a housing and enclosing a GFCI circuitwithin the housing. The GFCI circuit is configured to detect at leastone ground fault condition. The GFCI circuit includes a second detectioncircuit. The second detection circuit includes a switch element that isconfigured to be in a first predetermined position during at least onepost-manufacture test procedure. A user-accessible housing feature isdisposed on the GFCI device housing. The user-accessible housing featureis in operative communication with the switch element. The at least onepost-manufacture test procedure is performed with the switch element inthe first predetermined position. The GFCI circuit, the second detectioncircuit, and the switch element are inaccessibly disposed within thehousing. An externally generated stimulus is applied to the switchelement to drive the switch element into a second predeterminedposition.

In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a groundfault circuit interrupt (GFCI) device. The device includes a GFCI devicehousing and a plurality of line terminals and a plurality of loadterminals disposed on the GFCI device housing. A GFCI circuit isenclosed within GFCI device housing and coupled to the plurality of lineterminals and the plurality of load terminals. The GFCI circuit isconfigured to detect at least one ground fault condition. A circuitinterrupting structure is configured to establish electrical continuitybetween the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of loadterminals in a reset state and interrupt electrical continuity betweenthe plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals in atripped state. A second detection circuit is coupled to the GFCI circuitand disposed within the GFCI device housing, the second detectioncircuit including a switch element configured to be in a firstpredetermined position during at least one post-manufacture testprocedure. A user-accessible housing feature is disposed on the GFCIdevice housing. An external stimulus is applied via the user-accessiblehousing feature to thereby throw the switch element into a secondpredetermined position.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe detailed description which follows, and in part will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognizedby practicing the invention as described herein, including the detaileddescription which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are merely exemplary of theinvention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework forunderstanding the nature and character of the invention as it isclaimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodimentsof the invention, and together with the description serve to explain theprinciples and operation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the GFCI in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the GFCI enclosure in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the portion of the GFCI enclosuredepicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the mis-wiring circuit protectionswitch taken through line A—A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the mis-wiring circuit protectionswitch depicted in FIG. 4 in an actuated position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the GFCI enclosure inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a detail view of the actuation plug depicted in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the GFCI enclosure inaccordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a detail view of the actuation plug depicted in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the present exemplaryembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numberswill be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.An exemplary embodiment of the GFCI of the present invention is shown inFIG. 1, and is designated generally throughout by reference numeral 10.

In accordance with the invention, the present invention is directed to aground fault circuit interrupt (GFCI) device. The GFCI device includes aGFCI device housing. A GFCI circuit is enclosed within GFCI devicehousing. The GFCI circuit is configured to detect a ground faultcondition. A second detection circuit is coupled to the GFCI circuit anddisposed within the GFCI device housing. The second detection circuitincludes a switch element configured to be in an open position during atleast one post-manufacture test procedure and configured to be in aclosed position during usage. A protection switch is disposed on theexterior of the GFCI device housing and operatively coupled to theswitch element. The protection switch is configured to allow a user tothrow the switch element into the closed position without accessing theinterior of the GFCI device housing. Thus, the GFCI of the presentinvention is amenable to post-manufacture testing. In particular, theGFCI of the present invention is amenable to post-manufacture testingcomplying with Underwriters Laboratories Standard 943 (UL 943).

As embodied herein, and depicted in FIG. 1, a schematic view of the GFCI10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention isdisclosed. In general, GFCI 10 includes fault detection circuit 100,latching circuit 200, circuit breaker 300, mis-wiring detection circuit400, and fault indicator circuit 410. Mis-wiring circuit protectionswitch 500 is coupled to mis-wiring detection circuit 400.

Fault detection circuit 100 is configured to detect ground faultconditions and grounded neutral conditions. Specifically, faultdetection circuit 100 includes current differential sense transformer102 and grounded neutral transformer 104. Current differential sensetransformer 102 is configured to sense the current differential betweenhot conductor (line) 2 and the neutral conductor 4. The secondarywindings of transformer 102 are coupled to fault detector IC 106. Groundneutral transform 104 senses the presence of grounded neutralconditions. The secondary windings of transformer 104 are also coupledto fault detector IC 106. Capacitors C4 and C5 are noise suppressioncapacitors that are selected to prevent false GFCI triggering that mayotherwise occur in response to electrical noise or other disturbances.Fault detector IC 106 monitors the secondary transformer windings ofboth transformer 102 and transformer 104. IC 106 provides an outputpulse on pin 7 in response to detecting a fault condition.

Latching circuit 200 is coupled to fault detection circuit 100. Inparticular, output pin 7 of IC 106 is coupled to silicon controlledrectifier (SCR) 202 in latching circuit 200. SCR 202 is coupled tosolenoid 204. SCR 202 de-energizes solenoid 204 in the presence of aground fault. Breaker circuit 300 is coupled to the latching circuit200. Breaker circuit 300 includes breaker hot bus bar 302 and breakerneutral bus bar 304, both of which are coupled to solenoid 204. Again,in the presence of a fault, solenoid 204 is de-energized and breakercircuit 300 is tripped. Hot bus bar 302 is de-coupled from hot load line6 and neutral bus bar 304 is de-coupled from neutral load line 8.

Mis-wiring protection circuit 400 includes fault resistance 404 whichincludes resistors R16, R17, and R18 in series with fuse F1 and switchelement S1. These elements are disposed on the line side of GFCI 10 andconnected to the line side of hot bus bar 302. If GFCI is mis-wired,e.g., hot contact 16 on the load side is coupled to line 2 and theneutral contact on the load side is connected to line neutral 4, andGFCI 10 is tripped. Each time a user attempts to reset GFCI 10 in themis-wired condition, GFCI 10 immediately trips. Fault resistance 404functions to create a differential current on the primary of transformer102 in excess of a fault threshold, which is typically 6 mA. Referringback to switch element S1, this circuit element has been included tofacilitate post-manufacture testing, which will be discussed in moredetail below.

Fault indicator circuit 410 is connected in parallel with hot bus barcircuit 302. Indicator circuit 410 includes a diode D2 in series withresistors R20, R21, R22, and R23, and LED 414. When the properly wiredGFCI 10 trips and the internal components of GFCI 10 are not defective,e.g. SCR 202 is not shorted out, bus bar 502 is removed from contactwith line hot. Current then flows through indicator circuit 410. Currentflows through solenoid 204, diode D1, and resistors R6, R7, R8 toprovide the power to illuminate LED 414 to indicate that GFCI 10 istripped. Nominal current through the LED is about 4 mA.

Indicator circuit 410 works in conjunction with GFCI fault detectioncircuitry 100 to power indicator 414, to detect internal GFCI componentfailure, and to protect coil 204. When the properly wired GFCI 10 tripsdue to the SCR 202 shorting, current 6 flows through the indicatorcircuit 410, coil 204, and then through the shorted SCR 202. Nominalcurrent in this scenario is about 10 mA. Coil 204 is protected fromburning out by series resistors R20, R21, R22, and R23. If GFCI 10 istripped when SCR 202 is shorted, LED 414 is protected by diode D 1 whichrectifies (half-wave) the voltage, and cuts the power across seriesresistors R20, R21, R22, and R23 in half. When GFCI 10 is mis-wired, LED414 is not lit because there is no path for the current to take when thedevice is tripped. Thus, if the device is tripped and no light appears,the installer knows that the device is mis-wired.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any suitable GFCIcircuit may be employed. Reference is made to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/971,530, which is incorporated herein by reference as thoughfully set forth in its entirety, for a more detailed explanation ofvarious GFCI configurations.

Referring back to post-manufacture testing procedures, UnderwritersLaboratories Standard 943 does not allow the manufacturer to open theGFCI device after the device has been tested. However, UL 943 requirescertain procedures that may cause fault resistance series resistors R16, R17, and R18 to bum out, making the device unsuitable for sale.Furthermore, UL 943 also requires that the differential current producedby series resistors R16, R17, and R18 do not affect any of the testresults. Referring back to FIG. 1, the solution is to place switchelement S1 in series with resistors R16, R17, and R18. However, when theGFCI is loaded into a piece of test equipment designed to perform therequired manufacturing tests, switch S 1 is in an open position. Thus,the differential current circuit path of circuit 400 is also open.Manufacturing testing can now be performed without any circuit effectfrom this path, without burning out fault resistance series resistorsR16, R17, and R18. Subsequently, switch element S1 is actuated usingprotection switch 500, and placed in the closed position, reconnectingthe differential current circuit path. Line voltage is then applied tothe load contacts to simulate a mis-wired condition. If GFCI 10 andmis-wiring detection circuit 400 are functional, the mis-wired conditionwill cause the GFCI to trip. Mis-wiring circuit protection switch 500will be explained as follows.

As embodied herein, and depicted in FIG. 2, a plan view of GFCI housingenclosure 20 in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionis disclosed. Those of ordinary skill in the mi will recognize that theback portion of enclosure 20, which normally accommodates wall platestraps is not shown for ease of illustration. As shown, enclosure 20includes a plurality of back wire holes 22, and back-portion connectors24. Connectors 24 are used to mount the front portion of enclosure 20 tothe above mentioned back portion. Enclosure 20 conveniently includesmis-wiring circuit protection switch 500 disposed on the front of theenclosure. Referring to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of the topportion of the GFCI enclosure 20 is shown. In particular, thecross-section is taken through protection switch 500, which includesactuator button 502.

Referring to FIG. 4, a detail view of protection switch 500 is shown inaccordance with a first embodiment of the invention. In this view,protection switch 500 is shown before actuation. Protection switch 500includes bubble member 510. Bubble member 510 includes an actuationbutton 512 and domed wall member 514. Domed wall member 514 couplesactuation button 512 to enclosure 20. Spring 502 fits over actuationbutton 512, and is interposed between actuation button 512 and theswitch element S1. As in the embodiment shown in Figure, switch elementS1 is configured as a flexible conductive switch arm mounted on PC board30. In another embodiment, switch S1 may be incorporated as a part ofspring 502. In the latter embodiment, switch S1 contacts are disposed onPC board 30.

FIG. 5 shows protection switch 500 in an actuated position. When a userdepresses actuation button 512, spring 502 is compressed, and switchelement S 1 is thrown into the closed position. As shown, when actuationbutton 512 is compressed, domed wall member 514 is permanently deformed.Thereafter, switch element S1 is permanently in the closed position.

As embodied herein, and depicted in FIG. 6, a perspective view ofprotection switch 500 in accordance with a second embodiment of thepresent invention is disclosed. Protection switch 500 includes actuationplug 504 and spring member 502. Initially, actuation plug 504 ispartially inserted into opening 506 in device housing 20. FIG. 7 is adetail view of the actuation plug 504 depicted in FIG. 6. Plug 504includes snap member 5040 and snap member 5044. Plug 504 also includes adimpled portion 5042 which accommodates spring 502. Thus, spring 502 isinterposed between the actuation plug 504 and switch element S1. Thoseof ordinary skill in the art will recognize that circuit board 30 isdisposed inside enclosure 20 when the GFC1 is assembled. As in the firstembodiment, spring 502 is configured to throw the switch element S1 intothe closed position when in a compressed state. Further, once plug 504is depressed, elements 5040 and 5044 snap into place and switch elementS1 is permanently disposed in the closed position.

As embodied herein, and depicted in FIG. 8, a perspective view ofprotection switch 500 in accordance with a third embodiment of thepresent invention is disclosed. Protection switch 500 includes anactuation button integrated into housing 20.

Referring to FIG. 9, a detail view of the protection switch 500 depictedin FIG. 8 is disclosed. Spring 502 is coupled to actuation button 504and interposed between actuation button 504 and switch element S1. S1 ismounted on PC board 30. When button 504 is depressed, spring 502 isoperative to compress switch element S1 into the closed position.Further, a portion of button 504 will shear off and snap into housing20, such that the switch element is permanently in the closed position.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to beconstrued as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joinedtogether, even if there is something intervening.

The recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serveas a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and eachseparate value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein.

All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable orderunless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted bycontext. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g.,“such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminateembodiments of the invention and does not impose a limitation on thescope of the invention unless otherwise claimed.

No language in the specification should be construed as indicating anynon-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. There isno intention to limit the invention to the specific form or formsdisclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appendedclaims. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers themodifications and variations of this invention provided they come withinthe scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. A ground fault circuit interrupt (GFCI) device, comprising: a GFCIdevice housing; a plurality of line terminals and a plurality of loadterminals at least partially disposed in the GFCI device housing; a GFCIcircuit enclosed within GFCI device housing and coupled to the pluralityof line terminals and the plurality of load terminals, the GFCI circuitbeing configured to detect a predetermined condition, the predeterminedcondition including at least one ground fault condition and a simulatedfault condition; a test circuit coupled between at least one of theplurality of line terminals and at least one of the plurality of loadterminals, the test circuit including a test button configured togenerate the simulated fault condition when the test button is depressedand the device is wired to a source of AC power; a second detectioncircuit coupled to the GFCI circuit and disposed within the GFCI devicehousing, the second detection circuit including a switch elementconfigured to be in a first position during at least onepost-manufacture test procedure to thereby disarm the second detectioncircuit during the at least one post-manufacture test procedure; and anaccessible housing feature disposed on the GFCI device housing, anexternal stimulus being applied via the accessible housing feature tothereby throw the switch element into a second position to therebyenable the second detection circuit after the at least onepost-manufacture test procedure is completed.
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein the second detection circuit is configured as a mis-wiringdetection circuit.
 3. The device of claim 1, further comprising acircuit interrupter coupled to the GFCI circuit, the circuit interrupterincluding four sets of interrupting contacts configured to provideelectrical continuity between the plurality of line terminals and theplurality of load terminals in a reset state, the four sets ofinterrupting contacts being decoupled in a tripped state.
 4. The deviceof claim 3, wherein the second detection circuit prevents the circuitinterrupter from operating in the reset state when a source of power iscoupled to the plurality of load terminals.
 5. The device of claim 3,wherein the second detection circuit allows the circuit interrupter toenter the reset state when a source of power is coupled to the pluralityof line terminals.
 6. The device of claim 3, wherein the seconddetection circuit is a single-use circuit and inoperative after a sourceof power is properly applied to the plurality of line terminals.
 7. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the accessible housing feature furthercomprises: an elongated member disposed between the switch element andan external region of the GFCI device housing; and an actuation membercoupled to the elongated member and configured to permanently throw theswitch element into the second position in response to the externallygenerated stimulus.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least onepost-manufacture test procedure is completed before the device enters astream of commerce.
 9. A ground fault circuit interrupt (GFCI) device,comprising: a GFCI device housing; a plurality of line terminals and aplurality of load terminals at least partially disposed in the GFCIdevice housing; a GFCI circuit enclosed within GFCI device housing andcoupled to the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of loadterminals, the GFCI circuit being configured to detect a predeterminedcondition, the predetermined condition including at least one groundfault condition and a simulated fault condition; a circuit interruptercoupled to the GFCI circuit, the circuit interrupter including four setsof interrupting contacts configured to provide electrical continuitybetween the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of loadterminals in a reset state, the four sets of interrupting contacts beingdecoupled in a tripped state; a test circuit disposed between theplurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals, thetest circuit including a test button configured to generate thesimulated fault condition when the test button is depressed and thedevice is wired to a source of AC power; a second detection circuitcoupled to the GFCI circuit and disposed within the GFCI device housing,the second detection circuit including a switch element configured to bein a first position during at least one post-manufacture test procedureto thereby disarm the second detection circuit during the at least onepost-manufacture test procedure; and an accessible housing featuredisposed on the GFCI device housing, an external stimulus being appliedvia the accessible housing feature to thereby throw the switch elementinto a second position to thereby enable the second detection circuitafter the at least one post-manufacture test procedure is completed. 10.The device of claim 9, wherein the second detection circuit isconfigured to detect whether a source of AC power is coupled to theplurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals andprevents the circuit interrupter from operating in the reset state whena source of power is coupled to the plurality of load terminals.
 11. Thedevice of claim 9, wherein the second detection circuit is configured todetect whether a source of AC power is coupled to the plurality of lineterminals or the plurality of load terminals and allows the circuitinterrupting structure to enter the reset state when a source of poweris coupled to the plurality of line terminals.
 12. The device of claim9, wherein the second detection circuit is a single-use miswiredetection circuit, the miswire detection circuit being disarmed after asource of power is properly applied to the plurality of line terminals.13. The device of claim 9, wherein the at least one post-manufacturetest procedure is completed before the device enters a stream ofcommerce.
 14. The device of claim 9, wherein the accessible housingfeature further comprises: a bubble member coupled to the GFCI housing,the bubble member including an actuation button and a domed wall memberconnecting the actuation button to the GFCI device housing; and a springelement coupled to the actuation button and interposed between theactuation button and the switch element, the spring element beingconfigured to throw the switch element into the closed position when ina compressed state.
 15. A ground fault circuit interrupt (GFCI) device,comprising: a GFCI device housing including a test button disposedthereon and a plurality of line terminals and a plurality of loadterminals disposed therein; a GFCI circuit enclosed within the GFCIdevice housing and coupled to the plurality of line terminals and theplurality of load terminals, the GFCI circuit being configured to detecta predetermined fault condition; a circuit interrupter coupled to theGFCI circuit, the circuit interrupter including four sets ofinterrupting contacts configured to provide electrical continuitybetween the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of loadterminals in a reset state, the four sets of interrupting contacts beingdecoupled in a tripped state in response to the GFCI circuit detectingthe predetermined fault condition; a second detection circuit coupled tothe GFCI circuit and disposed within the GFCI device housing, the seconddetection circuit including a switch element configured to be in a firstposition during at least one post-manufacture test procedure to therebydisarm the second detection circuit during the at least onepost-manufacture test procedure; and an accessible housing featuredisposed on the GFCI device housing, an external stimulus being appliedvia the accessible housing feature to thereby throw the switch elementinto a second position to thereby enable the second detection circuitafter the at least one post-manufacture test procedure is completed andbefore the device enters a stream of commerce.
 16. The device of claim15, wherein the test button is coupled to the GFCI circuit andconfigured to generate a simulated predetermined fault condition. 17.The device of claim 15, wherein the second detection circuit isconfigured to detect whether a source of AC power is coupled to theplurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals andprevents the circuit interrupter from operating in the reset state whena source of power is coupled to the plurality of load terminals.
 18. Thedevice of claim 15, wherein the second detection circuit is configuredto detect whether a source of AC power is coupled to the plurality ofline terminals or the plurality of load terminals and allows the circuitinterrupting structure to enter the reset state when a source of poweris coupled to the plurality of line terminals.
 19. The device of claim15, wherein the second detection circuit is configured as a miswiredetection circuit, the miswire detection circuit being a single-usecircuit and inoperative after a source of power is properly applied tothe plurality of line terminals.
 20. The device of claim 15, wherein theaccessible housing feature further comprises: an elongated memberdisposed between the switch element and an external region of the GFCIdevice housing; and an actuation member coupled to the elongated memberand configured to permanently throw the switch element into the secondposition in response to the externally generated stimulus.